S. 1523 · On the floor · Science, Technology, Communications

Water Research Optimization Act of 2025

What it does

Relocates the National Water Center within the Office of Water Prediction of the National Weather Service under NOAA.
Designates the National Water Center as the primary center within NOAA for research, development, collaboration, and coordination of water research activities across the federal government, including the Department of Agriculture, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, United States Geological Survey.
Directs NOAA to lead the transition of federal government water research and model development into operational use by NOAA and the National Weather Service.
Requires the Under Secretary of Commerce to incorporate advanced water resources modeling capabilities into the unified forecast system using the Weather and Climate Operational Supercomputing System or any successor system.
Extends authorization for funding the National Water Center through fiscal year 2030.

Oct 21, 2025: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 196.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation